Justin Atwater-Taylor is the founder of Grip Equipment Disc Golf Gear. Grip Equipment is the product of his undergraduate Industrial Design Thesis spanning four semesters and combining design research, brand development, and graphic and product design. In four short years, Justin built Grip Equipment into the international standard of quality and design for the premium disc golf bag space with dozens of copy-cat and look-a-like products beginning to emerge in 2013.

When, in early 2014, Justin stepped away from his role at Grip to pursue new design opportunities, localized distribution had grown to include 20 countries on four continents and Grip was sourcing with manufacturers in the US and Taiwan. At the time, the brand boasted both Domestic and European Pro Teams holding more World and National Titles, by far, than any competitor. And in March of 2014, Justin received from the Kansas Legislature their Emerging Business of the Year Award for his Small Business Development District (one of eight in Kansas).

Justin is most adroit at investigating and solving difficult design problems, crafting and understanding the guiding principles of a brand, product/service line, or graphic strategy, and creatively executing on those underpinnings throughout every phase and touchpoint. His experience building an international athletic brand from scratch yields him a comprehensive understanding of product design, development, and marketing, as well as product life and business cycles, brand definition, and brand experience. Having this intimate understanding of all phases and the associated stakeholders is a significant advantage when tackling any design problem by setting the stage for more thorough and comprehensive solutions.

In his free time, Justin likes to hear a good joke, make and eat good food, sip tasty wines and craft beers, play a variety of sports (rounds of disc golf with his Black Lab/Boxer rescue named Bogey sits on top of the list), ride his spicy orange road bike at break-neck speeds, and explore both urban and wilderness landscapes all over the place!

Justin graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in Industrial Design and Philosophy.